Best places to see Northern Lights tonight if you missed them over the weekend - and how to set up mobile phone alerts

The jaw-dropping spectacle of the Northern Lights could be visible across the United States once again tonight, according to the latest predictions by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

On Friday night, millions of Americans enjoyed a rare Northern Lights show caused by a geomagnetic storm that could interfere with power lines and communications.

From Maine to Alabama and far into the United States' wild west, excited spectators gazed up at the night sky, marveling at the aurora's striking display of vivid colors.

So, where could you see the Northern Lights tonight and how long might the spectacular phenomenon be visible for? 

Read on below for everything you need to know about when the Northern Lights could be seen across the US tonight.  

Where can you see the Northern Lights tonight?

The latest map forecast of the aurora from the NOAA indicates that the Northern Lights could be visible across the most northerly US states - from Washington to Maine - as well as in Canada

Per the latest forecasts from the NOAA, you could be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight in the US.  

Previous glimpses of the aurora borealis have been plentiful over the past few days, meaning that catching the Northern Lights could be possible again on Monday, if unlikely.

Since Friday, there have been at least three readings of G5 intensity from the geomagnetic storm, using a scale of 1-5, with G5 being 'extreme' in energy, per the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). 

The latest map forecast of the aurora from the NOAA indicates that the Northern Lights could be visible across the most northerly US states - from Washington to Maine - as well as in Canada. 

This includes all states bordering Canada on the northern tip of the US - encompassing Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

While those in the north of the US have a lower chance of catching a glimpse, those in central and northern Canada could also spot the Northern Lights tonight, per the latest radar. 

How to set up phone alerts for the Northern Lights 

If you are unsure about when the best time to look out for the Aurora Borealis near you is, there are a number of different apps and websites you can use. 

These will help to give a real-time indication of whether the Northern Lights could be coming your way or not. 

One such app is named Aurora Borealis Forecast & Alerts, which is available to download on the App Store for iOS and the Google Play store on Android. 

Alternatively, you can head to auroranotifier.com, which updates frequently with aurora forecasts and news alerts from the SWPC. 

The current aurora is being caused by the strongest solar storm in 21 years. 

Among the many pictures of the aurora posted on X, formerly Twitter, there were some taken in places as wide ranging as Alabama, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan

In Alabama, viewers were offered a striking violet and pink sky

Connecticut star-gazers weren't let down by Friday night's display of northern lights

Northern lights or aurora borealis illuminate the night sky over a camper's tent north of San Francisco in Middletown, California on May 11, 2024

Some of the earliest pictures of the Northern Lights were taken in Maine on Friday, where the phenomenon was visible shortly after 9pm.

However, soon the aurora spread and people reported seeing it as far south as Texas.

Among the many pictures of the aurora posted on X, formerly Twitter, there were some taken in places as wide ranging as Alabama, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan.

There were also pictures taken in Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Missouri.